Yuppies ask Pope Francis: How can we hear God, serve others?

Amid the distractions and temptations of modern society, how can the youth find God and be of service to others?

 

These were the questions posed by two young professionals to Pope Francis during his encounter with the youth at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Sunday morning.

 

Leandro Santos, a UST law student, said the youth feel lost despite the accessibility of information because of the temptations that accompany technology.

 

“As a young working student myself, I must confess distraction is difficult to resist,” Santos admitted.

 

He appealed to the pontiff to give the youth guidance in reassessing their values.

 

“How can we take the time to stop and reflect on God’s will?” Santos asked the Pope.

 

After reading his prepared statement, Santos presented the pontiff with a jar containing messages from the youth.

 

In another prepared speech, engineer Rikki Macolor asked the Pope how the youth can become agents of mercy and compassion. 

 

“How can we be successful without being blinded by earthly pursuits? What more can we do today?” he asked Pope Francis.

 

Macolor, a volunteer for My Shelter Foundation, a non-government organization transforming empty plastic softdrinks bottles into a light source for homes, asked the question after recounting his experience traveling to Yolanda-stricken areas to help the affected families. 

 

He said the experience made him realize that innovation is about changing other people’s lives. 

 

“I wanted to be able to selflessly share the technology and teach locals. For me, that is what living is about—we are not isolated being but part of something bigger,” he said.

 

After his speech, Macolor also presented the Pope with a gift. 

 

Santos and Macolor were among the four young people selected to publicly speak with the pope during his meeting with the youth. 

 

Prior to their statements, two children told Pope Francis of their hardships while living on the streets before they were taken in by a non-government organization.

 

Twelve-year-old Glyzelle Palomar and 13-year-old John Chura received hugs and rosaries from the Pope after their speeches. —KG, GMA News